It is one of the most iconic performances in the history of modern music: the moment where David Bowie retired his Ziggy Stardust alter ego in front of an audience of 5000 fans at London’s Hammersmith Odeon.

Bowie’s decision to retire Ziggy, the character that had made him a star, and split his band, The Spiders From Mars, secured his future, allowing him to become the restless, inquisitive and shape–shifting artist that we know him to be. That one moment also
changed popular culture, unleashing a set of artistic and ideological freedoms that are still being enjoyed by musicians and the wider creative community today.

The band’s performance on July 3, 1973, was captured on film by award–winning director DA Pennebaker (famed for BobDylan’s classic ’67 doc, DON’T LOOK BACK), For the film’s 50th anniversary, ZIGGY STARDUST AND THE SPIDERS FROM MARS: THE MOTION PICTURE has been digitally restored with never-before-seen footage.  The film that focuses on the adoration of Bowie fans, and captures David onstage and in his dressing room prior to the show. This is the closest audiences will come to being there on that fateful night 50 years ago.

This new, restored  version of the film features the full, uncut performance featuring final scenes with the legendary guitar player Jeff Beck – including his high–octane performance on Bowie’s anthemic 1972 hit, “The Jean Genie.” With David Bowie, Jeff Beck, Mick Ronson, Trevor Bolder, Mick ‘Woody’ Woodmansey, Geoffrey MacCormack, Mike Garson, Ken Fordham, John ‘Hutch’ Hutchinson, Angie Bowie, Ringo Starr.

#MusicMonday, July 31 (Final screening)
Doors 8:30 pm | Movie 9:00 pm *Start time subject to change. Please arrive on time.
Advance tickets HERE

ZIGGY STARDUST AND THE SPIDERS FROM MARS: THE MOTION PICTURE (50th Anniversary) (DA PENNEBAKER, 1973 / 102 mins / PG) Concert film documenting David Bowie’s final performance as his musical, star-child alter-ego Ziggy Stardust. Captured live on July 3, 1973.

*Minors OK. Must be 19+ w/ID for bar service.
*Rio Theatre Groupons and Rio Theatre passes are OK for any single film screening only. Please redeem at the box office.
*Online sales end an hour before showtime; unless otherwise noted, tickets are always available for purchase at the box office prior to showtime. All Rio Theatre tickets are final sale. Our box office is typically open 30 minutes before showtime. All seating is General Admission; please arrive 20-30 minutes prior to showtime to ensure great seats and time for treats.
*If you are looking to redeem either a Rio Theatre gift certificate or Groupon to any regular Rio Theatre screening: You can either email us in advance <[email protected]> and give us a “heads up,” or do it at the box office prior to showtime. (We seat 400+ people and our regular screenings are very rarely at capacity – you should not have issues being admitted.)